Cooperation/Competition between Halogen Bonds and Hydrogen Bonds in Complexes of 2,6-Diaminopyridines and X-CY3 (X = Cl, Br; Y = H, F)

Abstract

The DFT calculations have been performed on a series of two-element complexes formed by substituted 2,6-diaminopyridine (R−PDA) and pyridine (R−Pyr) with X−CY3 molecules (where X = Cl, Br and Y = H, F). The primary aim of this study was to examine the intermolecular hydrogen and halogen bonds in the condition of their mutual coexistence. Symmetry/antisymmetry of the interrelation between three individual interactions is addressed. It appears that halogen bonds play the main role in the stabilization of the structures of the selected systems. However, the occurrence of one or two hydrogen bonds was associated with the favourable geometry of the complexes. Moreover, the impact of different substituent groups attached in the para position to the aromatic ring of the 2,6-diaminopyridine and pyridine on the character of the intermolecular hydrogen and halogen bonds was examined. The results indicate that the presence of electron-donating substituents strengthens the bonds. In turn, the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents reduces the strength of halogen bonds. Additionally, when hydrogen and halogen bonds lose their leading role in the complex formation, the nonspecific electrostatic interactions between dipole moments take their place. Analysis was based on geometric, energetic, and topological parameters of the studied systems.